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Cannot Uninstall XP from NTFS System

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Tractor, 2003/08/29.

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  1. 2003/08/29
    Tractor

    Tractor Inactive Thread Starter

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    PLEASE HELP! I installed xp over my 98 recently, now I need 98 back because my wifes home transcription company requires 98. The regular "uninstall" directions included on the help portion of xp states " you cannot uninstall windows xp if you switched from FATS to NTFS ". HOW DO I GET IT OFF???? :confused:
     
    Tractor,
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  2. 2003/08/29
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I´m sorry to be the bearer of bad news ...... :( ......

    If You have converted the file system from FAT32 to NTFS it can not be reversed.

    Windows 98 requires FAT32, it can not be installed on NTFS since it can neither read nor write NTFS.

    The only way out is FDISK, FORMAT to FAT32 and reinstall Windows 98.

    Don´t forget to burn all data to CDs before commencing the "recovery "!

    Regards,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2003/08/29
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Tractor

    If your need to use w98 is a software issue, you have another option if you still have a running XP. Try using "Program Compatibility Wizard ". A function of XP specific for this purpose. It can allow older window programs dependent on previous versions of windows to run in XP. To find it go....
    Start| All Programs| Accessories| Program Compatibility Wizard. To my knowledge it has a high success rate in allowing older programs to run.
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/29
    Dennis L,
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  5. 2003/08/30
    Tractor

    Tractor Inactive Thread Starter

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    don't mean to sound like a dunce, but how do I get to FDISK in the command promt???
     
    Tractor,
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  6. 2003/08/30
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Have you tried running the software in compatibility mode yet? If it will work, you'll save yourself a lot of time and effort.

    If you fdisk and format the drive to get FAT32 back, you will lose all data on the drive. It will be wiped clean of everything. If there is data on the harddrive...records, documents, email, address book, etc....that you cannot afford to lose, back it all up to CD or other media or another computer's harddrive before you proceed.

    Since the drive is now NTFS, you will need to boot it up with the XP CD in the CD drive. Read each screen carefully to find the option to repartition and reformat. Use the XP CD's utilities to remove and re-create the exisiting partitions and then to reformat using FAT32.

    Then take the XP CD out of the drive and turn the computer off. Put a Win98 boot floppy into the floppy drive and start the computer. Choose "start with CD-ROM" support.

    One it's finished booting up, put the Win98 CD in the CD drive and type E:/setup...which should, if all things have gone right, start the Windows 98 installation on a clean harddrive.

    All hardware that Windows cannot install drivers for automatically will have to be reinstalled, all programs will have to be reinstalled and all backed up data put back onto the drive once Windows is installed.
     
    Miz,
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  7. 2003/08/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  8. 2003/08/31
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Christer,
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  9. 2003/09/02
    Tractor

    Tractor Inactive Thread Starter

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    THANKS ALL!!
    THAT HELPED....
     
    Tractor,
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  10. 2003/09/02
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    PeteC,
    the Knowledge Base article that You referred to seems to make things very complicated.

    When I was asked to install WinXP on FAT32, on a used LapTop which previously had NT4 on NTFS, I used my WinME start disk to remove all non-DOS partitions and create two new FAT32 partitions.

    I know that a WinME start disk differs from a Win98 start disk in the FDISK utility. The WinME variant can handle harddisks larger than 64GB.

    Finally, my question:
    Does the FDISK utility differ in other respects too?
    Would it be possible to remove non-DOS partitions with a Win98 start disk?

    Thanks in advance,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #9
  11. 2003/09/02
    JSS3rd Lifetime Subscription

    JSS3rd Geek Member

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    Just for the record, you can convert from NTFS to FAT32, but you need a third-party app, such as PartitionMagic, to do it.
     
    JSS3rd,
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  12. 2003/09/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Christer,

    I don't know offhand as I rarely use Fdisk, but this KB article may answer your question -

    How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;255867

    Applies to W95 through to Me.

    NTFS partitions can(?) be removed with Fdisk -

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;150315

    BUT

    Older Versions of FDISK Do Not Remove Non-DOS Partitions

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;37241
     
    PeteC,
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  13. 2003/09/02
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Thanks Pete!

    I´ll check the links later.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  14. 2003/09/02
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    It´s a bit later now ...... :D ......

    I assume that the Win98 start disk must be DOS 5.0 or later which would put it in the same category as the WinME start disk, being able to remove non-DOS partitions.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  15. 2003/09/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Agreed
     
    PeteC,
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